Investigation by Congress yields list of chemicals used in fracking

May 27, 2012

There are 650 chemicals used in hydraulic fracking to obtain petroleum products. Some are known carcinogens and regulated pollutants. The Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce recently released the report, Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing that was prepared for: Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo. The whole Congressional report may be accessed at: http://democrats.energy commerce.house.gov/ sites/default/files/ documents/Hydraulic% 20Fracturing%20 Report%204.18.11.pdf.

The report states between 2005 and 2009, the oil and gas service companies used hydraulic fracturing products containing 29-chemicals that are (1) known or possible human carcinogens, (2) regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act for their risks to human health, or (3) listed as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air act." Some of the chemicals fall into more than one category.

According to the investigation, Methanol, a toxic air pollutant, was the most widely used chemical during the time period studied, as measured by the number of compounds containing the chemical. Other hazardous air pollutants included hydrogen fluoride (systemic poison, potentially fatal), lead (reproductive disorders, high blood pressure, nervous system disease, especially among children), hydrogen chloride and ethylene glycol.

The chemical 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) is a common toxic constituent used as a foaming agent. "According to EPA scientists, 2-BE is easily absorbed and rapidly distributed in humans following inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure. Studies have shown that exposure to 2-BE can cause destruction of red blood cells, damage to the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Among the list of carcinogens used are formaldehyde, diesel, naphthalene and chemicals in the BTEX compound group (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene)." The BTEX compounds appeared in 60 hydraulic fracturing products used in the five-year period and were used in 11.4 million gallons of hydraulic fracturing fluids.

No one can predict imperfections in the underground rock layers leading to leakage of the above listed chemicals under fracking pressures. Petroleum drilling companies may accomplish every procedure perfectly and still contaminate ground water because of unknown geological situations.